Baby Bjorn Original

Baby Bjorn Original Review

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The Baby Bjorn is an adjustable, structured carrier designed for babies 3.5kg/8lbs to 11kg/25lbs. It’s a front pack where the baby can be facing in towards the wearer, or facing out when the baby’s head control is stronger (at least 4-5 months old). The straps aren’t thick and cross at the back.

I tested this carrier for a short period of time in the front facing in and out positons.

My Highlights

Lightweight.

Sleek design.

Baby’s head is high up.

Adjustable for different baby’s heights and for the wearer’s size.

The Negatives

Baby Bjorn Original facing in

Baby is carried in an upright position with most of the baby’s weight directed through their crotch and hip joints (which can be very detrimental if the baby has pre-existing hip problems such as Hip Dysplasia).

Baby is not carried in the optimal “M” posture whereby their bottom is seated lower than their knees. See my post on The Importance of Ergonomics.

I found my 5 month old leant back in it while front facing and I felt it strain my middle to upper back (thoracic region).

The straps aren’t very padded and felt uncomfortable on my shoulders after a while.

Even after tightening the head rest straps my daughter’s head was not fully supported.

I only felt comfortable wearing the carrier for a short period of time.

My Chiropractic Opinion on the Baby Bjorn Original

As a chiropractor I have to be completely honest and say that I don’t recommend the Baby Bjorn Original. The main reasons are that it holds the baby too upright and the distribution of stresses/gravity is directed through the baby’s spine, pelvis and hip joints.

The Implications For Baby

Baby Bjorn Original facing out

The baby is held in a very upright posture. This puts a lot of stress on the baby’s lower back as their spines should still be encouraged to be in the “C” curve which naturally occurs. When the baby is held in this upright position, excess stress is put through the vulnerable joints of the lumbar spine. This has the possibility to cause small stress fractures and lead to spondylolisthesis.

The other factor that concerns me is the direction of forces through the baby’s hip joints and pelvis. When baby is worn in either the facing-in or facing-out position, the baby is not seated in the optimal “M” posture, where their bottom is seated lower than their knees. Instead the pressure and stress is directed through the pelvic and hip joints. See my post on The Importance of Ergonomics for more information.

I particularly would advise somebody against the Baby Bjorn Original if their baby has been diagnosed with a pre-existing hip condition such as Hip Dysplasia.

The Implications For The Wearer

The positive is that the straps are crossed at the back to help support the weight of the front-pack but the shoulder straps are only lightly padded. Since I found the Baby Bjorn Original allows the baby to lean forward I felt strain through my upper back.

*** I won’t be posting the “A Day In The Life Of” for the Baby Bjorn Original as I didn’t want to wear it for a prolonged period of time***

3 Responses to “Baby Bjorn Original”

Thanks for the Reviews! I appreciate the help. This really made the choices much simpler. I’m really interested in the Baby K’tan. After hearing your reviews of the one-shoulder slings, I don’t think I’d try one. I’d love to hear what you think of the Baby K’tan though!

Hi Carrie, I haven’t used a K’tan but I have used a very similar style and I thought it was good! From what I can tell from their website, the baby looks like they are held in a good ergonomic position and its east to follow the TICKS safety guidelines for safe babywearing which you can find here: http://reviewbabycarriers.net/babywearing-safety/
So looks like a good option! Happy babywearing!